Atlanta United’s rebuild is complete. Now it’s time to win.

It's a consequential season.

via Atlanta United

As it turns out, winning actually matters.

We like to think that our interest in Atlanta United over the years, whether growing or waning, is influenced more by qualitative measures of “fun” and “vibes” and “pride” over more tangible measures of success. I’ll admit, I’ve consoled myself with such ideas over the past four years knowing the team wasn’t much good. 

Pop quiz: What do the following numbers represent:

15, 21, 18, 6, 13, 10, 13

These are the amount of wins Atlanta United has collected in each season of its existence. And if you really think about it, I’m guessing that your relative interest and/or hopes in Atlanta United perfectly correlates with the flow of these results. Of course we want to be entertained, but simply scoring goals does not, in fact, make us feel better. Atlanta scored 66 goals last year, only one shy of the league leader. But the team still didn’t quite compete at  a level that made them as relevant as they’d been in the past. 

Now, let’s be realistic here for just a brief moment. Major League Soccer’s schedule is an absolute grind. It’s probably tougher to win consistently in MLS than in any other  North American professional sports league. For context, the New England Revolution set the league’s all-time points record in 2021 with 73. That year, the Revs won 22 out of 34 games. Remember, this is the best record in MLS history. 22 out of 34. As a winning percentage, that’s equivalent to an 11-win season in the NFL, or winning 105 games in an MLB schedule. Good no doubt, but records that are achieved regularly. Losing happens here.

Hell, even Atlanta United’s 2018 team, the one that brought the city a title, were responsible for what remains one of the most disappointing moments in club history. The group got trounced on Decision Day to let the Supporters’ Shield slip right through their fingers. In sports, but in MLS in particular, randomness and failure looms around every corner. So this is not a “Atlanta United BETTER WIN EVERY GAME OR ELSE” post.